Advertised as the Galapagos of Mexico, Isla Isabela is also a convenient stop for transiting up from Puerto Vallarta to Mazatlan. This island is almost dead-on half-way between the two towns, being 90 miles to PV and 92 to Mazatlan. On our way down this fall, we bypassed it mostly because of its reputation as an "anchor eater", where cruisers have lost anchors due to submerged rocks and debris. Yet many sailors report just the opposite and given its convenient "Motel 6" location, we went for it this time on the way back north.

It was a great stop. The anchorage weather on the east side was mellow, with a good sand bottom for holding the anchor. Several other boats in the anchorage gave us good tips on where to put down. Couldn't have asked for a sweeter or more convenient spot to bed down for the night.

Isla Isabela is also a bird sanctuary and birds it does have. Millions, especially Blue-footed Boobies and Frigates. And OMG is it full of bird shit - all of it marinating during the day at a tropical 80 degrees.

We went for an afternoon hike and while it's possible to walk right up to the birds, their nests and their young with the birds rarely being alarmed, wow, did it ever smell! Maybe we're just not the wildlife people we fantasize ourselves as being, but we got the overwhelming impression while hiking the island of walking through a mega, free-range chicken coop. With Albert Hitchcock's "The Birds" thrown in for effect. Quite the eerie aerie, if you will.

Certainly Isla Isabela is a "must see" and we are very glad we overcame our concerns about the anchorage. Regardless, after about 24 hours of heavily fragranced air, it became something of a "must leave".